When is Surgery an Option & What Surgical Procedures Mend Olecranon (Elbow) Bursitis?
If your bursa is infected and you are unable to drain the additional fluid by yourself you may need to have a surgical procedure to help get rid of the infection. During a bursa drainage the surgeon will make a small incision on your elbow to insert a drain tube that will keep your bursa open allowing it to drain for several days. After the bursa has been drained the tube will be removed and the incision will be closed. If you have a thickened bursa and are unable to heal your elbow bursitis through non-surgical treatments a surgeon can remove your bursa. During a bursa removal procedure the surgeon will make a small incision over the tip of your elbow; which allows them to remove your thickened bursa. The incision is then closed with stitches or sutures. Extensive rehabilitation will be required to stretch your elbow joint, however you can expect for your bursa to grow back after the thickened bursa has been removed.